Filing ITR for the First Time? Step-by-Step Guide to Register on E-Filing Portal

Filing ITR for the First Time: Filing ITR for the first time? Don’t sweat it. If you’ve just started earning or recently stepped into the tax world, you’re probably wondering how to get started. The first step is registering yourself on the Income Tax Department’s e-Filing Portal. It’s not rocket science, and with this detailed guide, you’ll have it done in under 15 minutes. Promise. Whether you’re a college grad, a freelancer, a salaried employee, or a small business owner, this guide is for you. We’re keeping it real simple, jargon-free, and also super helpful for the pros who want their facts straight.

Filing ITR for the First Time

Registering on the Income Tax e-Filing Portal is your first big step into financial adulthood. It’s not just a legal formality—it’s a smart financial move. Once registered, you can file taxes, claim refunds, check your TDS status, and maintain a solid financial footprint. Don’t procrastinate. The earlier you register, the smoother your entire ITR journey becomes.

What is ITR and Why Should You Care?

Income Tax Return (ITR) is a form you submit to the government to declare your income, taxes paid (if any), and claim refunds or deductions. Even if your income is below the taxable limit, filing ITR can help you with:

• Getting TDS refunds
• Applying for loans or credit cards
• Faster visa approvals for countries like the USA, UK, and Schengen area
• Establishing financial proof for scholarships, grants, or government tenders

Did you know? Even salaried individuals who have already paid taxes through TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) need to file ITR to declare their income and get eligible for refunds or exemptions under various sections like 80C or 80D.

Step-by-Step: How to File ITR for the First Time

Step 1: Visit the Official Portal

Go to https://www.incometax.gov.in/iec/foportal. This is the central hub for all your tax filing, tracking, and verification needs.

Click on the “Register” button on the top right.

Step 2: Choose User Type

Select “Individual” as your user type. This is the default option for most taxpayers unless you’re registering as a Hindu Undivided Family (HUF), company, or legal representative.

Step 3: Enter PAN Details

Your PAN (Permanent Account Number) is your unique ID for all income tax-related activities. Enter your PAN and hit “Validate.” The system will check if the PAN is already registered.

• If it’s not, you proceed to the next step.
• If it’s already registered, you’ll be prompted to log in instead.

Step 4: Fill in Basic Info

You’ll need to fill in the following:

• Full Name (as per PAN)
• Date of Birth
• Gender
• Residential Status (Resident/Non-Resident Indian)

Make sure every detail matches your PAN database. Any mismatch can lead to rejection or verification delays.

Step 5: Provide Contact Details

Enter:

• Your active mobile number (preferably Aadhaar-linked)
• A valid email address
• Your current address

These details are vital for receiving OTPs (One Time Passwords) and communication from the IT department.

Step 6: Verify with OTP

You will receive two OTPs:

• One on your mobile number
• One on your email ID

Enter both to verify your credentials. You get three attempts to complete the verification. OTPs are valid for 15 minutes and can be resent.

Step 7: Set Password and Security Questions

Create a strong password that you can remember. You’ll also be prompted to set 2-3 security questions that can help you recover your account if you forget your password.

Step 8: Registration Complete

You’ll see a success message on your screen confirming your registration. Now you can log in using your PAN as the username and the password you just created.

Additional Steps After Registration

Pre-Validate Your Bank Account

Before you file your return, pre-validate your bank account. This is a crucial step for:

• Getting refunds
• Making online tax payments
• E-verification of your ITR

Steps: Log in > Profile Settings > Prevalidate Bank Account

Link PAN and Aadhaar

Linking your PAN and Aadhaar is mandatory under Section 139AA. If they are not linked, your PAN may become inoperative.

Choose the Right ITR Form

Use the ITR form guide to decide which form applies to you:

• ITR-1 (Sahaj): For salaried individuals with income up to ₹50 lakhs
• ITR-2: For capital gains, foreign income, or more than one house property
• ITR-3: For professionals and business owners
• ITR-4 (Sugam): For presumptive taxation (Section 44AD/44ADA)

Understand e-Verification

Once your ITR is filed, you need to verify it within 30 days. Choose from:

• Aadhaar OTP
• Bank Account EVC
• Net Banking
• Demat Account

If not verified, your return will be considered invalid.

Example: Meet Riya, the Rookie Freelancer

Riya is a 23-year-old graphic designer from Austin, Texas, working with Indian clients. In FY 2024-25, she earned ₹6.5 lakhs and received her payments via Wise and Payoneer into her Indian bank account.

Although she assumed she didn’t need to file taxes since she’s not employed full-time, her CA advised her to file under ITR-3 for income from business/profession.

She used her PAN, Aadhaar, and Gmail to register on the portal, pre-validated her bank account, linked Aadhaar, and filed her return in time. She even claimed deductions under Section 80C for ELSS and Section 80D for health insurance.

Real Statistics: How India is Filing Taxes

According to Press Information Bureau:

• Over 8.2 crore ITRs were filed for Assessment Year 2023-24
• More than 50 lakh first-time filers registered
• 98.7% of returns were verified on time
• 88% of refunds were processed within 7 working days

This means the system is working more efficiently and faster than ever before.

How to Track Your ITR Status After Filing?

Once you’ve registered, filed your return, and completed the e-verification, the next logical step is to track the status of your ITR. This helps you:

• Ensure your ITR has been processed by the Income Tax Department.
• Check whether a refund is due or already credited.
• Track if any action is required from your side (e.g., resubmission, correction, etc.).

Steps to Track Your ITR Status

Method 1: Without Logging In

If you just want a quick check:

1. Visit https://www.incometax.gov.in/iec/foportal
2. Click on ‘Income Tax Return Status’ under quick links.
3. Enter your PAN, Acknowledgment Number, and Captcha.
4. Click Submit to view the status.

Method 2: With Login

1. Log into the portal using your PAN and password.
2. Go to ‘e-File’ > ‘Income Tax Returns’ > ‘View Filed Returns’.
3. Select the relevant assessment year (e.g., 2025–26).
4. Click on ‘View Details’ to see the processing status, refund status, and communication from ITD.

Common Statuses You May See

Pro Tip:

You can also download your Intimation under Section 143(1) once processing is complete. This document confirms whether your return was accepted as-is or adjusted for any differences.

Why Should You File ITR Even if It’s Not Mandatory?

Even if your income is under ₹2.5 lakhs, there are big benefits to filing:

• You can claim refunds if tax was deducted at source
• It helps in building a credit score
• Necessary for applying to foreign universities or visas
• Essential for government jobs and contracts
• Can help in getting faster loan and credit card approvals

Filing ITR This Year? – 4 Key Points Every Salaried Taxpayer Must Remember

ITR Filing 2025 Warning: 7 Common Issues Taxpayers Must Watch Out For

ITR 2025 Filing Guide – Why Students and Unemployed Must Not Skip It

Common Mistakes to Avoid While Registering

1. Entering mismatched name or DOB: Must match PAN database
2. Wrong email/mobile: You won’t get the OTP
3. Weak password: Could lead to account hacks
4. Skipping Aadhaar linking: Can make PAN inoperative
5. Missing e-verification: Your return becomes invalid if not verified